Businesses urged to support the Armed Forces Community

TAMESIDE businesses are being urged to support those who’ve served their country by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

Tameside Armed Services Community (TASC) is campaigning to get 100 businesses or organisations in the borough making the pledge.

The Covenant, signed by the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), is a commitment to our Armed Forces Community that they receive the levels of support they need.

It sets out standards that ex-services personnel can expect around housing, employment and health as they make their transition back into our communities. Commitments made include helping ex-Armed Forces personnel gain employment and skills.

Signing the Covenant means that you are supporting your employees as reservists and ex-service personnel. By becoming a Forces friendly employer you can benefit from the wide range of unique skills and experiences that reservists and ex-service personnel can bring to your organisation.

Ashton Medical Group has already become the first GP Practice in Tameside to sign the Covenant, followed by The Brooke Surgery in Hyde, Denton Medical Practice, Dukinfield Medical Practice and Awburn House Medical Practice.

But TASC are now looking for businesses or organisations to pledge their support. There is no outlay for the process, just a commitment to the principles of the Covenant.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Councillor Brenda Warrington said: “Those who have given so much service to our country deserve our support and the Armed Forces Covenant details the practical ways we can help. I would urge businesses and organisations in Tameside to do their bit by backing this excellent campaign and signing up to the Covenant.”